‘Devil May Cry’, ‘Castlevania’ Showrunner Adi Shankar Acquires Screen Rights to ‘Duke Nukem’

After creating adaptations of Castlevania and Devil May Cry for Netflix, showrunner Adi Shankar has now set his sights on the Duke Nukem series. Per an interview with Esquire, Shankar revealed that he has acquired the screen rights from current Duke Nukem rights holder Gearbox Software.

When asked about his vision for the series, Shankar replied that it’s a middle finger to everybody. “When Duke Nukem blew up, a bunch of people sat around trying to turn it into a brand, when it’s just a middle finger. Duke Nukem can’t be made by a corporation, because the moment a corporation makes Duke Nukem, it’s no longer Duke Nukem. I don’t intend on having anyone tell me what to do on this one.”

Shankar didn’t elaborate any further on his acquisition, but did drop a bit more info on what other projects he currently has in the works. “I got video games in production. Obviously more Devil May Cry. I’m being approached with different IPs and companies that want to work with me.”

Regarding a second season of Devil May Cry, Shankar explains that it was always his plan to build and expand the series. “Season 1 had to be the gateway drug, but season 2, the storytelling is going to pivot. Season 2 is going to be different, stylistically and tonally, from season 1. Virgil is a big, very important character. It’s essentially a new show.”

As for Duke Nukem, it will be a challenge for Adi Shankar to bring the character back to the mainstream after the series has been dormant since the “spectacle” that was 2011’s Duke Nukem Forever. What this development means in regards to the film adaptation of the series by Legendary announced back in 2022 also remains to be seen.

The post ‘Devil May Cry’, ‘Castlevania’ Showrunner Adi Shankar Acquires Screen Rights to ‘Duke Nukem’ appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.